LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are best friends. Two peas in a pod. Even peanut butter and jelly, one might say.
So when Wade announced he was signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers to join his bestie James, the two were definitely excited about it. But according to Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports citing the Athletic, most of the Cavs were not on board with Wade joining the team.
“There was a couple guys with it,” James said. “But it wasn’t a lot. …I still know what he’s capable of doing. Why wouldn’t you want another guy in the locker room that brings a championship mentality and a guy who can still play? So, of course, it bothered me, but f*** it. It is what it is.”
Wade began the season starting games, but recently asked head coach Tyronne Lue if he could come off the bench. So far this season, he’s averaged 10.8 points and 4.0 assists in 23.5 minutes.
Wade is a three-time champion, a former All-Star and has proven to be a great leader for the teams on which he’s played. It is somewhat strange that the majority of the Cavs players don’t seem to want him around.
But in the recent past, when James has wanted someone on his team, he usually gets them. Wade is no different, and the chemistry between the two is likely more important than the opinions of others.
How that situation will affect the Cavs locker room long-term remains to be seen. But Wade should be safe for now with James vouching for him.